Articles by Diane Marcus

Diane Marcus is a certified trainer who advises companies and nonprofit agencies in business, social and travel etiquette. She trained with the Emily Post Institute and with Jacqueline Whitmore, The Protocol School of Palm Beach.
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Diane Marcus

The world is now focused on Brazil who will host the World Cup in 2014 and the summer Olympics in 2016. Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world with over 193 million people. In addition to a large immigrant population from Portugal, there are large numbers of people from Germany, Italy and Japan. All these groups have kept their culture. There is a very high literacy rate in Brazil and the middle class is growing.

If you want to attend the 2013 Presidential Inauguration there is still a small chance you can get tickets. Most of the balls and galas are by invitation only. These would have gone out to anyone who has given a significant donation to the campaign. Many invitations will also go out to certain campaign workers. The next invitations go out to several people who will be honored at one of the balls.

A great master in the field of etiquette and protocol has passed away. When I first considered becoming an etiquette consultant, I began reading biographies of other woman who made etiquette their career. One of the first books I read was Letitia Baldrige’s “The Complete Guide to Executive Manners”. Letitia got her reputation, the hard way, she earned it. She worked in US embassies in France and Italy and later at Tiffany’s. The job she was the most famous for was being Chief of Staff to Jackie Kennedy. After the White House, she ran her own public relations firms and continued to work with diplomats and business men and women. She showed them how they could succeed by knowing business and social etiquette skills.

We have all been in the position to receive health care from getting a flu shot, to having surgery to facing hospice for someone in our family. I have found health care workers to be a unique group of people who show respect and compassion for their patients. Most of us want to find a physician or rehabilitation center that cares about us and our families. Now more than ever before offices and hospitals are becoming more patient centered.

Now that the 2012 summer Olympics are over, we will turn our eyes towards Sochi, Russia for the 2014 winter Olympics. Sochi is located on the Black Sea near The Republic of Georgia. It is said to be the Russian Riviera. Sochi is a resort town and it will be hosting the majority of the Olympic events.

You may be one of the lucky people chosen to do business for the Olympic events. It is not too early to begin doing your research before travelling to Russia. Hire a firm that deals with the tricky paperwork needed to do business there. Knowing etiquette is one thing and dealing with customs, paperwork and legal matters are another. Start learning as much of the Russian language as possible. It is not necessary to know a lot, but saying, hello, goodbye, how are you and addressing people with the proper terms for Mr. and Mrs. goes a long way in cementing a deal. Russians are skeptical of outsiders. In order to help cement a deal, forming friendships are necessary to get a sale. Learning a bit of their language will help you form a closer friendship.

All eyes are on the United Kingdom this year due to the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Queen of Elizabeth to the throne, and the summer Olympics. If your company is thinking of doing business here, it is one of the easier countries to manage because we speak the same language and we have similar customs. With that being said, do not send one of your sales staff to the United Kingdom without doing some research. Knowing slight variations in customs and protocol will go a long way in winning over a potential client.

There are many Islamic countries in the Middle East and in Northern Africa. You will find that customs will vary from country to country. Therefore, do not attempt to travel in any Islamic country without doing research.